Category: Encouragement For The Downcast

⁴ We must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. ~ John 9:4

Not all calls God has for our lives are flashy calls. Some of them are humble. Some are difficult. Some may even seem insignificant. But they are all work. I don’t have a secular job. I do this ministry full-time. This ministry is my job. This is my work. But to most people, even those in the Church (some of which are family), don’t see this as work. They don’t see the time, effort, and dedication it takes to do this every day.

We don’t have a large following. We’re not known worldwide or even city-wide, for that matter. The majority of our friends and family don’t even support us by watching a video or reading a devotional every now and then. Matter of fact, they don’t even subscribe to our website or channel. When we talk about working, it’s reduced down to, “Well, it’s not really work; it’s a passion.” It may be said nicely or playfully, but that doesn’t make it any less hurtful and discouraging.

That’s when God starts to speak to you. And He reminds you that it’s not their approval or even their support that matters. It’s that you’re doing the will of God that matters. It’s not for them; it’s for God. We’re each called for something. We’re each given the tools (gifts, both spiritual and physical) necessary to fulfill this God-given call. And sometimes, it just feels pointless. Sometimes, you feel like just quitting because you don’t feel like you’re making an impact. But the thing is, if you’re where God wants you to be, then you’re making an impact even if you don’t see it.

Dear God, thank You for giving me a call. Thank You for giving my life purpose and meaning. Thank You that I’m not just a floating speck of dust in the universe but that I was divinely designed by the Creator of all things, who loves me enough to give my life purpose. Please encourage my heart that I might not be discouraged and my soul might not be downcast within me. Help me to focus on You and the call that You have for my life. Help me to always encourage myself in You regardless of what other people think or say. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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⁶ including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, ⁷ To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints ~ Romans 1:6-7

When we each think about God’s call for our lives, we usually don’t think about the basic overall call the LORD has for each one of us. Salvation. We are all called to a universal calling, that is, a calling to belong to Jesus Christ. And in the same way, we are all called to be saints. In other words, we are all called to a life of excellence.

Because we are all loved by God. For God so loved the world that He gave us Jesus, and it was He who died on the cross to purchase our salvation so that we would not have to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire, which burns forever and ever, and the smoke of the torment of those who go there will ascend up forever.

 That’s not the eternity that God has for us. It was never intended for us but for the Devil and his angels. God intended for us to be with Him for all eternity in a place of freedom, love, peace, and perfection. A new and improved Garden of Eden that can never be corrupted, for we will all be made new.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Choose Christ.

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²⁵ Because of your father’s God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb. ~ Genesis 49:25

As a child of God, you are blessed indeed. For the blessings of Almighty God is all around you. Reach up, reach out, and take hold of the blessings He has reserved just for you. Speak them over your children, and pronounce them over your family. For the blessings of God is greater than the blessings of ancient mountains or the bounty of age-old Hills.

Heavenly Father, please bless Your people today. Encourage the discouraged, bind up the brokenhearted, and teach us Your ways so that we may know You and receive blessings from Your hand. Help us to recognize and appreciate all the blessings you’ve blessed us with. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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⁵⁵ Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And are not His brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? ~ Matthew 13:55

We’re each called to a specific purpose. Each and every one of us is called by God Himself to fulfill a specific job while on this earth. Here’s the thing, though, not everyone can see your potential. Not everyone can see what God can.

You may come from an insignificant family in an insignificant part of the world, but God uses insignificant people. Oftentimes, when we look at ourselves, we only see what the world tells us. Where we come from. What our parents have done. Our failures. Our shortcomings. Our mistakes. Our ignorance. This isn’t how God sees us.

No, we’re not perfect. Yes, we do make mistakes. These are impossible to avoid, but they don’t take away from who we are in Christ. It may seem like you have a lot going against you, but if God is for you, who can be against you? When your faith, hope, and trust are in God, then your past cannot hold you back. God will use every willing heart.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Focus On Your Purpose.

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²¹ But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. ~ Genesis 39:21

Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. Then once he began to make way as a slave in Potiphar’s house, Potiphar’s wife lied about him and had him thrown into prison. Joseph is one of the best examples of how up and down life can be. Some days, your life is going great, but other days the enemy is after you, and one thing goes bad after another. That’s how life goes. Life is messy. It has ups and downs. It has good days and bad days, but when you follow God and put your trust in Him, He gives you His favor and shows you steadfast love, just like Joseph.

Joseph was sold by his own brothers and ended up in prison, but he never let it keep him down. He remained faithful to the LORD. He remained encouraged by the LORD. Why? Most likely because of his dreams. He knew that he was called for greater things. He knew that the LORD wouldn’t abandon him because he knew God had called him for greater and better things. This is the same with us today. We are called by God Almighty. He has greater and better plans in store for us. It won’t always be easy, but when God is for you, who can be against you? Always remember God works all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Trust God In All Circumstances.

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¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. ~ John 15:19

We live in the world, but we’re not a part of the world. In other words, do not participate in the things of this world; they are passing away. Yes, we live in this world. Therefore, there are things that we have no choice but to participate in, such as voting, but only according to Scripture. We don’t vote for things that are blatantly against God. We need to get back to the basics where righteousness is the rule of thumb, and holiness is the way of life. We need to get back to where our main objective is to follow the teachings of Jesus and to be our brother’s keeper.

Without this, we are saltless salt. But the thing about saltless salt is when we become saltless salt, we are of no use to Jesus in His kingdom. Without action, our faith is dead. We are to work out our salvation with much fear and trembling.

But what does that look like? Well, for one, we are always self-disinfecting. We are disinfecting others. And we are always spreading the light of God with others. But before we can start correcting our brothers and sisters, we must do self-correction. We must evaluate our own lives to make sure they line up with the LORD and not with the world. Jesus should be our goal, not to be like a celebrity in the world but like the one who overcame the whole world.

We are called for greater things than the world can offer us. Therefore, we are to live in the world but not be a part of the world because we have been called out of the world. We’re not to seek approval or acceptance from the world. We aren’t of the world. Therefore, if the world hates you because you follow Jesus, cling to the Truth of what that really means. If the world hates you, it’s because you’ve left it behind and have clung to the Light of the World. You’ve clung to the cross, and you are running this race set before you with all that is in you. Be encouraged and finish your race strong and filled with hope, and the LORD will reward you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Be Not A Part of The World.

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¹⁸ The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, ¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. ~ Luke 4:18-19

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit was upon Him and that God the Father had anointed Him to preach the Good News of salvation. To release the captives and heal the sick, to bring freedom to the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor.

Seems to me that we are living in that time, the time of the LORD’s favor. Why? Because this is the time when anyone can bow before the LORD, call on His name, and be saved. Before the giving of the Holy Spirit, that didn’t happen. That had not yet been an option for all of mankind.

Now, because of the fullness of Jesus, or the completeness of Jesus, we have received favor upon favor, and grace upon grace, to the point where we can do all things through Christ who gives us His favor, or His grace.

In other words, His completeness, or His fullness, which is His strength, becomes our strength, and we are made complete in Him as long as we are in Him, and He is in us. Nothing is impossible for us.

There is no lack in Jesus. There is no emptiness in Jesus. There is no absence of anything good in Jesus. There is no bareness of any kind in Jesus. Why? Because Jesus is the fullness of God, made complete through His obedience as a man, obedience even unto death. That fullness or completeness is given or granted to us by Jesus when He said, “Lo, I’m with you always.” That was not just for the first century Church, but for us as well.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Dwell In His Grace.

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